Trescothick shines again as he puts those dark Test days behind him

MARCUS Trescothick reaped the rewards for a summer spent adapting his technique with a stunning display to establish England's advantage over Bangladesh in the historic first Test at the National Stadium.

MARCUS Trescothick reaped the rewards for a summer spent adapting his technique with a stunning display to establish England's advantage over Bangladesh in the historic first Test at the National Stadium.

The Somerset left-hander endured sleepless nights due to his inability to overcome a technical flaw which prevented him from making an impact during last winter's Ashes tour and one-day series in Australia.

The problems continued at the World Cup which followed and briefly prompted suggestions he would be better dropping down the order to succeed at the highest level.

It caused Trescothick to analyse his gameplan and adjust his technique to spectacular effect when he scored a double century in the victory over South Africa at The Oval which levelled the series.

He has taken that form and approach into the current tour to Bangladesh, firmly stamping his mark at the start of England's winter schedule.

Trescothick was the outstanding batsman in both England's warm-up matches, scoring 90 and 96.

Then in this inaugural Test, he hit an unbeaten 77 to dominate an unbroken 111-run opening stand with captain Michael Vaughan at the close of the second day which firmly put England in control after the tourists had dismissed Bangladesh for a lowly 203.

Their efforts during a difficult final session - which followed extended playing times both before and after lunch to make up the time lost on the opening day to a combination of rain and bad light - was an exercise in endurance, and a testimony to the fitness work the squad have undertaken since their arrival to combat the steamy temperatures.

"No one can judge how hard it is out there except the players - and they looked very tired at lunch," confirmed coach Duncan Fletcher.

"Two two-and-a-half hour sessions anywhere is a lot of cricket to play, but to play it out here in unusual conditions takes a lot of character."

While Trescothick was the the more fluent during his 112-ball stay at the crease - as a six and 13 other boundaries would suggest - it was the mental strength of Vaughan which also laid the foundations for England's solid start after he overcame a shaky start to hit an unbeaten 30.

Still to record his first half-century in Test cricket since succeeding Nasser Hussain as captain and having passed 50 only once in 19 innings while leading the side, Vaughan battled through 36 balls without scoring after getting off the mark with a single.

However, the skipper overcame his early struggles to hit five boundaries, including a sweep for four off the first ball in Test cricket from 16-year-old left-arm spinner Enamul Haque Junior.

While England's openers - whose last century partnership was too summers ago against India at The Oval - overcame the early challenges presented by Bangladesh's attack, it was the pace and hostility of Steve Harmison which finally ended their opponents lower-order fightback, which threatened to guide them to a competitive total.

Harmison struck in the first over with the new ball to bowl Mohammad Rafique and then dismissed last man Mashrafe Mortaza in his next over to finish with five for 38, his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket.